Highmark Caring Place

ERIE Highmark Caring Place was proud to once again parter with Gracylane Hudson for their Totes of Appreciation event. Earlier this fall, nearly 300 area teachers visited the Millcreek Mall to obtain resources and hear from guest speakers. We wish the best to all educators as the 2026-27 school year continues!

🦋 We're here for TEACHERS, STUDENTS, and COUNSELORS.
Exceptional, NO-COST grief support for Children, Teens, Young Adults, and Families.
Learn more, connect for support, get free resources, or become a volunteer.
⭐ Visit: highmarkcaringplace.com
⭐ Call: 888-567-1028

SUPPORT KIDS WHERE THEY ARE | At the grand opening of the first Highmark Caring Place in Pittsburgh, Fred Rogers spoke about a funeral he had attended the weekend before. The woman whose mother died was able to cry, not because of the flowers or the music, but because she was surrounded by friends and family and people she trusted.

"I thought of this place (the Caring Place) where people are surrounded by others who remind them that it's alright to be who they are in that moment. That is so important for children."

We were so fortunate to have Fred "Mister" Rogers as our honorary chairperson until his death in 2003. His words remind us of how important it is to support kids exactly where they are as they grieve.

🦋 We're here for YOU.
Exceptional, NO-COST grief support for Children, Teens, Young Adults, and Families.
Learn more, connect for support, become a volunteer, get free resources.
⭐ Visit: highmarkcaringplace.com
⭐ Call: 888-567-1028

OUR FAMILY PROGRAM: POWER OF SHARED EXPERIENCES | At Highmark Caring Place we believe in the power of shared experiences and connection. Recently, adults who have found support and healing here created beautiful "butterfly messages"--heartfelt words of encouragement and comfort specifically for future families who may walk through our doors.

These messages are tiny, powerful testaments to resilience, understanding, and the hope that can blossom even in the most challenging times. They carry stories of growth, coping, and finding a path forward. If you're a family who has experienced loss, we want you to know you're not alone. Our community holds space for you, and there's strength in shared journeys.

🦋 We're here for YOU.
Exceptional, NO-COST grief support for Children, Teens, Young Adults, and Families.
Learn more, connect for support, become a volunteer, get free resources.
⭐ Visit: highmarkcaringplace.com
⭐ Call: 888-567-1028
⭐ 4 Locations: Erie, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Warrendale

THANK YOU Group Benefit Solutions for partnering with our Caring Place Pittsburgh location for this impactful volunteer event earlier this year! This event was a joint effort with a station for employees to create Cards of Comfort for children supported by Highmark Caring Place This NYL Pittsburgh team filled cards with encouragement and art to brighten a child's day, while reminding them they're surrounded by a community that cares.

🦋 We're here for YOU.
Exceptional, NO-COST grief support for Children, Teens, Young Adults, and Families.
Learn more, connect for support, become a volunteer, get free resources.
⭐ Visit: highmarkcaringplace.com
⭐ Call: 888-567-1028

Congratulations to everyone involved with the making of The Ocean - 5 Year on your Emmy win!!! We are so very proud of you! We are honored to have been a small part of this journey. Thank you to Flying Scooter Productions and Brett McCutcheon and the entire McCutcheon Family for your courage and bravery to tell this story and for all you are doing to raise awareness and elevate the voices of those who are grieving ❤️🦋

About last night… Two Emmy Wins. 🏆🏆🖤
Two incredible stories, two incredible families, one incredible crew - our Scooter crew. Winners for Documentary & Long Form from Producing Partners Jennifer Schlieper & Courtney Gumpf.

The Ocean - Five Years Documentary features the beautiful and honest truth of Brett McCutcheon & music. A story of love, loss and making a way through. Thank you Bob & Dana McCutcheon - Brett, we love you. 💙🦋 Thank you Highmark Caring Place & Terese Vorsheck LaVallee
We turned Moments into Memories in long form with the Turner’s celebrating their legacy and continued impact through strong relationships with farmers (we ❤️ cows and the people who take care of them), community and customers.
Thank you Steve & Adrianna & the entire team ’s Dairy! 🐮🥛🎉

To our crew - thank you for waking up at the crack of dawn for sunrises and for making magic with us.

Director, Writer & Producer: J. Schlieper Jenni Schlieper
Executive Producer: C. Gumpf Courtney Gumpf
DOP: P.Atkins Phillip William Atkins
Producers: W. Moon & M. Eyerman waya.moon Meg!
Editors: D. White & A. Gallardo Dylan White
Audio: N. Robinson Nathaniel Robinson
G&E: N. Hewitt
Cameras: stefano_amerigo, Luke Keibler Gregory Neiser
Audio & Mix: TOFY Bob Jimmy Hoyson
The Vault Recording
Mix: Turner’s The Vault Recording

Let’s Go!!

🖤

In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we are proud to shine a light on our dear friend and former Highmark Caring Place Kathryn Millroy. After losing her son Sean to rhabdomyosarcoma, Kathryn started the Kids On Carousels Foundation to raise awareness for rhabdomyosarcoma and all childhood cancers in his memory.

Kathryn was part of our 2024 Virtual Children's Grief Awareness Day event. Watch or rewatch her insightful session here: ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyMxl1RxfGs&list=PLkh830X8olw8CfsfCtveOrR05LF7wV1X7&index=9

To learn more about Kathryn and the wonderful work of her organization, Kids on Carousels, please visit: ➡️ kidsoncarousels.com

WEAR BLUE ON 11/19! Let no child walk alone in grief. 💙 The 2026 Children's Grief Awareness Day Shop is open! Honor and support grieving children and families in our community. 🦋 Sponsored by Highmark Caring Place

SHOP: bit.ly/ShopCGAD26 (URL: https://childrensgriefawarenessday2026.itemorder.com/shop/home/)